Device for transmitting coded electrical impulses



Sept. 26, 1950 H. o. M. JAMPOLER ETAL 2,523,303 NOW BY CHANGE OF NAME H. O. JASQN DEVICE FOR TRANSMITTING CODED ELECTRICAL IMPULSES Filed Jan. 31, 1946 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 p 6, 1950 H. o. M. JAMPOLER ETAL 2,523,303

NOW BY CHANGE OF NAME H. O. JASON DEVICE FOR TRANSMITTING CODED ELECTRICAL IMPULSES Filed Jan. 51, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 26, 1950 H. o. M. JAMPOLER ET AL 3 NOW BY CHANGE OF NAME H. O. JASON DEVICE FOR TRANSMITTING CODED ELECTRICAL IMPULSES Filed Jan. 51, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I N V EN TORS $0,951? 7% J45 cw ay ,mvw

Patented Sept. 26, 1959 i UNITED STATES PATENT omcs DEVICE FOR TRANSMITTING CODED ELECTRICAL IMPULSES Herbert 0. M. J'ampoler, New York, and Hershey Lerner, Jackson Heights, N. Y.;. said Lerner assignor to said Jampoler; said Jampoler now by change of name Herbert 0. Jason Application January 31, 1946, Serial No. 644,513

8 Claims.

tem and aims to provide a simple and convenient system for producing and transmitting coded signals. A particular object of the invention is to provide an automatic means for operating a dial telephone to call predetermined numbers without rotating the dial.

The system includes an electric circuit having a plurality of groups of parallel branches, each of which contains two switches. Oneset of the switches is controlled by'an impulse device which closes these switches in all the branches succes- 'sively so as to send out a series of current -impulses. The other switches of the branches are controlled by a coding device which provides a simple means for closing the switches in selected branches of each group. The combined result of the coding device and the impulse device is, therefore, to send out a series oi -groups of impulses in which thenumber of impulses in each group corresponds to a'code; I

' The impulses produced in the circuit operate an electromagnetic device which efiects connections between telephone stations by interrupting a telephone circuit in the manner in which the latter circuit would be interrupted b operating the usual dial;

An important feature of the invention consists in making the apparatus automatic in operation so that a single manual operation, such as pushing a button corresponding to aparticular code card, results in calling the number "to which the card corresponds. This is achieved by 'making the manual operation bring the code card into operative relationship with'the circuit to close the gaps in selected branches and 'at' the same time start a motor operating 'the impulse device, and in arranging the-impulse device-to stop the motor after it has "closed and opened a gap in each branch of the circuit.

Another important feature of the invention consists in the use of a'control card having a dielectric base with spaced strips of conductive material on its face. Each conductive strip has an and area and a set of indexed areas of equal size and the strips are arranged so that-,to make the card close only the branches 1 of-the circuit which correspond to a desired-number, it is necessary merely to insulate a predetermined number of indexed areas from the end areas.

In-order that the invention may be clearly understood, we will describe in detail the specific embodiments of .it which are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: 7 v V Fig. 1 is a diagram of the signal circuit show-: ing the impulse. device and a portion of one of the coding devices;

Fig. 2 is a circuit diagram of a complete system for automatically calling a number by depressing a telephone line-switching plunger;

Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram of. the system arranged for automatically calling a number by interrupting the telephone circuit;

Fig. 4 is a top view, and Fig. 5 a side view of a set of coding devices and switch-operating means connected to. them;

Fig. 6 is a face view of the control card, illustrated in part in Fig. 1.;.

F'ig. 7 is a face view ofa modified type of code card; H

Fig. 8 is a section along the lines 8-,- 8 ofFigJ;

and

Fig. 9 is an elevation of a telephone equipped for use with the circuit illustrated in Fig.

The signal circuit shown .in Fig. 1 includes 'a source of voltage I!) and an electromagnet H, The circuit has seventy parallel branches which are divided into seven groups of ten each. Each branch extends from one of the contacts l2 v0i a rotary switch 43 to one of the spring contacts M of a coding device 55. The wiper 86 of the rotary switch [31's connected by a conductor I! to the source of voltage l0, while the return wire l8 of the coding device is connected to theeleotromagnet ll. p

The rotary switch I3 constitutes animpulse device. The wiperifiis rotatedto open and close all seventy branches .successi-velyon each ,revolution soas to send .a current impulse throu h each branch in succession. when the branches are closed at the coding device. The wiper is rotated at a uniform. rate so that these impulses are separated by uniform time intervals, except that the spacing of the contacts i2 is such that slightly longer intervals are provided between.

the seven groups of. branches. The impulsedevice most desirably has an additional contact L9 which maybe used to stop the rotation of the wiper after one revolution, as hereinafter ex,-.

plained. I

The coding device I is provided with seven rows of'spring contacts. Each row of contacts includes the ten contacts l4 connected to one of the groups of branches of the circuit and an additional contact connected to the return wire H3. The control card 2| used in the coding device consists of a base 22 of dielectric material, such as cardboard, having on its operative surface. seven strips of conductive foil 23 which serve to connect the contacts l4 of each row with the contact 20 of that row. Any desired number of the ten contacts 14 of each row may be disconnected from the contact 20 of that row by merely breaking the strip of conducting foil at any desired point by drawing a pencil or stylus across it. The branches of the circuit connected to contacts below the break in the foil are interrupted so that, on rotation of the wiper of the impulse device, no current impulse is passed through these branches. The efiect of a ator to depress the telephone line-switching plunger 3| so as to call the number designated. After the seven groups of impulses have been sent out, the wiper of the impulse device reaches the contact l9, sending a current impulse through the electromagnet 30 which opens the switch 21 as well as that one of the switches 35 which has been closed and stops the operation of the device. To permit the actuator A to operate the telephone switch, the telephone receiver must, of course, be lifted from the line-switching plunger 3! before the switch 35 is closed.

The circuit shown in Fig. 3 is similar to that shown in Fig. 2 except that it is arranged for interrupting the circuit of the telephone directly The circuit T of the telephone is connected into a circuit C containing a relay switch revolution of the wiper of the impulse device is, I

therefore, to send through the circuit and to the electromagnet II seven groups of impulses in which the number of impulses in each group depends upon the point at which the conducting foil on one column of the code card is broken. Such a series of impulses, when used to interrupt the circuit of a dial telephone, serves to call the number whose digits correspond to the number of impulses in each group. Arrangements of the signal circuit for automatically accomplishing this result are shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

In Fig. 2, 24 and 25 are line wires from which current is obtained. The signal circuit which has been described includes the'conductor I1 connected to the lead 24, the impulse device I3, a plurality of coding devices l5, [5, the electromagnet II and a conductor 23 connected to the lead 25 through a switch 21. The wiper of the impulse device'is driven by'a motor M connected between the lead 24 .and the switch 21 by conductors 28 and 29. The contact IQ of the impulse device I3 is connected to an electromagnet 30 which serves to open'the switch 21 after the wiper has made one complete revolution.

An electromagnetic actuator A for drawing down the line-switching plunger 3| of the telephone is connected between the lead 24 and the switch 21 through a relay switch 32 which is closed by the electromagnet H in the signal circuit whenever a current impulse passes through that circuit. Preferably, a condenser 33 and inductance 34 are connected across actuator A to prevent sparking or arcing in the circuit.

The coding devices l5, [5' are connected in parallel in all the branches of the signal circuit, and each provides a manually operableswitch 35. The switches 35 are mechanically connected to the switch 21 in such manner that manual closing of any of the switches 35 closes the switch 21, while automatic opening of the switch 21;

opens any one of the switches 35 which has been closed. The mechanical connection is described in connection with Figs. 4 and 5.

'The operation of the circuit shown in Fig. 2 is as follows: If the number corresponding to the code card in the coding device I5 is to be called, it is necessary merely to close the switch 35 which at the same time ClOSGS jthG switch 21.. Current then flows through the motor rotating the wiper [6 of the impulse device 13 to send seven groups of impulses through the electromagnet H. Corresponding impulses pass through the actuator circuit causing the actu- 31 anda time switch 38.

The relay switch 33 is associated with the electromagnet of the signal circuit in such manner that each impulse in the signal circuit opens the switch 37 to interruptjthe telephone circuit. With this arrangement, a telephone connection is effected by closing one of the switches 35 without removing the telephone receiver. In order to pre'ventthe circuit T of the telephone from remaining closed in case the user forgets to raise the telephone after closing one of the switches 35, the time switch 38 is provided. The time switch is mechanically connected to the switch 21 so that it is closed when the switch 27 is closed. It remains closed for a. period of time slightly greater than the time required for one revolution of the wiper of the impulse device and then automatically opens.

In the apparatus illustrated'in Figs. 4 and 5, the switches 35 are formed by the coding devices [5, i5. Each is mechanically connected independently of the others withthe switch 21 and the time switch 38 by means of a slide bar 40. Each coding device l5, I5 has a hinged tray 4| which supports a removable code card 2| and is provided with a push button 42. The slide bar 40 has a lip 43 which is urged against the stop 44 by spring 45 and is provided with a series of pairs of lugs 46, 41 which are adapted to abut the ends of trays 4i. Depression of push button 42 swings the tray 4| around until the card 2| are such that lug 4'1 may move past the end of the tray without touching .it when the tray is in the open position illustrated in Fig. 4. How:- ever, when the tray is in closed position, the lug 41 engages its lower edge, and holds it in closed position until slide bar 43 is released. This release is accomplished byv actuation of electromagnet 30 to withdraw plunger 48' after the wiper 16 has made one complete revolution and reaches contact [9. The time switch 7 38 is of conventional construction and is so adjusted that it will remain closed for the interval necessary to permit removal of the telephone from its cradle after slide bar 40 has returned to open position.

The control card 52, illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, consists of a molded base 53 of a dielectric material such as athermoplastic resin having such as copper imbedded in itsface. 54 has an end area 55 and ten indexed-areas 56 of equal size. The base 53 has inwardly extending flanges 57 along its edges and a ledge 58 along its bottom to support a shield 59 .of dielectricmaterial such as cardboard. The shield 59 is adapted to cover the indexed areas 56 so that those areas are insulated from the contacts I4, and is scored so that the portion which covers any indexed area 56 is easily removed. Any desired number of the ten contacts M in each row may be connected with the contact 20 of that row by merely removing the portions of shield 59 which cover the indexed areas 56 corresponding with those contacts. The branches of the circuit connected to contacts which are insulated from the conductive strips by the shield are interrupted so that, on rotation of the wiper of the impulse device, no current impulse is passed through those branches. The apparatus described is housed in a call box 60 from the face of which the push buttons 42 project and which bears an identifying card 6| opposite each push button. The line wires 24, are connected with a plug 62 through which the device may be connected with the current source. The call bo'x illustrated in Fig. 9 contains twenty coding devices l5, l5. It will be appreciated, however, that a greater or lesser number of such coding devices may be utilized in the practice of our invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A remote control system for utilizing a coded series of electric current impulses, comprising an electric circuit containing in series a source of electromotive force, an electromagnetic device and a plurality of groups of parallel normally open branches each containing two switches in series, coding means for closing one switch in selected branches of each group simultaneously, and means operable thereafter to close and open the other switch in all the branches in succession so as to permit groups of current impulses having a selected number of impulses in each group to be sent through the circuit.

2. Apparatus for automatically operating a dial telephone to calla predetermined number, comprising an electric circuit containing in series a source of electromotive force, an electromagnetic device and a plurality of groups of parallel normally open branches each containing two switchesin series, coding means for closing one switch in selected branches of each group simultaneously, and means operable thereafter to close and open the other switch in all the branches in succession so as to permit groups of current impulses having a selected number of impulses in each group and which actuate the electromagnetic device to be sent through the circuit. I

3. Apparatus for automatically operating a dial telephone having a line-switching plunger adapted to be depressed to call a predetermined number, comprisin the combination of a current-actuated device for depressing the lineswitching plunger of the telephone and an electric circuit containing a plurality of groups of parallel normally open branches each containing two switches in series, coding means for closing one switch in selected branches of each group, and means operable thereafter to close and open the other switch in all the branches in c siefi So as to sendrou h he circui roup of urr nt impuls s havin a. s lected.

number of impulses in ach r up n w i h actuate said depressing device.

4. Apparatus .for automatically operating a dial telephone to call a predetermined number,,

an auxiliary circuit containing a current-responsive device for. opening saidswitch, a plurality of groups of parallel normally open branches each contaimng two switches in series, coding means R ;-;Q -9 m$ one sw tc in selected branches of each group, and means operable thereafter to close and open the other switch in the branches in succession so as to send through the circuit groups of current impulses having a selected number of impulses in each group and which actuate said current-responsive device.

5. Apparatus for automatically operating a dial telephone to call a predetermined number, comprising a normally open switch and a' normally closed switch in series in the circuit of the telephone, means for closing the normally open switch during a predetermined time limit, and means for opening the normally closed'switch in accordance with a coded series of current impulses, comprising an auxiliary circuit containing a current-responsive device and a plurality of groups of normally open branches each containing two switches in series, coding means for closing one switch in selected branches of each group, and means operable thereafter to close and open the other switch in all the branches in succession. 6. Apparatus for automatically operating a dial telephone to call a predetermined number, comprising an electric circuit containing in series a, source of electromotive force, a current-responsive device and a plurality of groups of parallel branches each containing two switches in series, coding means for closing one switch in selected branches of each group, an impulse device adapted to close and open the other switch in all the branches in succession so as to send through the circuit groups of current impulses having a selected number of impulses in each group, an electric motor for operating the impulse device, and automatic means controlled by the impulse device for stopping the motor after a current impulse has been sent through each of the selected branches.

7. Apparatus for automatically operating a dial telephone to call any one of several predetermined numbers, comprising an electric circuit having a plurality of groups of parallelbranches, a plurality of coding devices connected in parallel in all said branches, each of said coding devices being provided with normally inoperative means for closing selected branches of each group, an impulse device adapted to permit a current impulse to flow through, all of the branches in succession, means for operating the impulse device, means for putting the circuitclosing means of a selected coding device into operation and starting the impulse device, and means controlled by the impulse device for automatically stopping that device and placing the circuit-closing means of the selected coding device out of operation after the impulse device has sent a current impulse through each selected branch.

8. Automatic apparatus for operating a dial telephone to call a predetermined number, comprising a normally open switch and normally closed switch in series in the circuit of the tele-.

shone, ah auxiliary circuit containing a currentresponsivedevice and a codingdevice adapted to.

'sendgroups of selected numbers ofcurrent -im-- pulses through the-current-responsive device to ospen the normallyclosed switch, and'means for .closing the normally open switch-for a predeter mined period during and after operation of said coding device." 7 7 h HERBERT O. MVJAMPO'LER...

HERSHEY LERNERU N,

REEEREfiES l CITED 1 Q The following references-are of -record in the file of this paltent:--- s A UNiTED STATES PATENTS Number Date Name Balch Jan. 19, 1920 Wise Oct. 11, 1932 Vanheerswynghels; Mar. 2, 1937 Higginbottom -Sept. 5,.1939- 'MacKenzie 'Aprk2, 1940- Armbruster June 3,1941

' Sanburg May 16-, 1944 

